"This is Not the Trip You're Looking For" TR May/June 2011 - COMPLETE About This Page:

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by nalexander

Thanks for sharing your TR.

Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy

Great ending!! Now may the planning and decisions begin!!! Keep us posted with your next Pre-TR!

Originally Posted by lazanya

Thanks for taking us along on your adventures Cathy! I enjoyed your TR and so glad you decided to write it despite some of the downs you experienced. I still think your trip was magical regardless!

Originally Posted by mmoores2

I enjoyed reading your trip report! Can't wait to hear about your next adventure!!

Thank you for following along.

And yes, the planning wheels are already turning! It's funny to hear Kevin as he says at least once a day, "I wish I was back at Disney."

Originally Posted by mdobereiner

Just read your trip report from start to finish- LOVED IT Despite the rough patches... For what it's worth- we've been that family too!!! It happens and while we are at the happiest place on earth, sometimes it can be a recipe for breakdown central (in fact thinking of all the things that could trigger meltdowns, I'm impressed we haven't been that family more often

Thank you so much for sharing your trip! Your girls are lovely and I enjoyed reading about your adventures!! Best of luck with your 2012 plans!

Mel

Thank you - and I just have to mention when I saw the title of your last TR (No Time Like the Present/You Have to Go to the Bathroom Again!) I was laughing as it sounds like it could have been written about Cory during our 2009 trip, who seemed to have a goal of using every restroom in the parks!

Originally Posted by goofyboysmama

I finally got a chance to catch up! What a great day at Epcot despite the rain - again, beautiful pictures. We have an ADR for 'Ohana for breakfast - thanks for the pics
Great wrap up! I am excited for you for your SWW solo trip. I wanna go! Maybe we can do a PP/SWW meet, lol. But seriously.
This was a great report, thanks for your thoughts and honesty. I really think it helps all of us reading it with our trip planning and vacation attitudes.
May the Force Be With You

You will love Ohana. Best breakfast anywhere.

I'm really thinking my solo trip may be the best bet for right now - so I will keep you posted and we will compare dates.

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by MikeL

Thank you so much for taking us along with your family on this adventure,, Your husband deserves to get signed up for Princess Leia medal ceremony for going above and beyond trying not to ruin the trip for you and the girls. Hope he didn't wait too long to get proper med. attention for the infection

I read your post to Kevin and he said (in his most macho tone of voice) "Yeah - that's right!" You are correct and I agree with you 100%.

Once we got home, he used colloidal silver and a neti pot and was back to normal in a few days.

Originally Posted by Cam22

First of all, :thank: you so much for sharing your trip with us, even though you initially did not want to remember it all. Second, you have a tough choice with US/IoA or a Mother's Day SWW trip. and for deciding! As to a deluxe, BC was incredible last summer. In fact, Stefanie has chosen Boardwalk for next summer's trip. Can't wait to see the appearance of your next PTR!

The SWW or US/IOA is a tough one! I'm thinking, though, as much as I can't wait to see WWoHP, I might want to wait it out one more year and see if the crowds dissipate a bit more...But then again, look at TSMM. I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

And I'm just torn over the decision: "BC or Poly? BC or Poly?" It may all boil down to "$$ or $$?" Whatever we decide, it will be a new adventure.

Originally Posted by brandy_mel

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this TR. I loved hearing it all, the good and the bad. (Not that I loved you had to experience the bad. ) You're a great writer and I'm selfishly hoping your next trip comes soon so there will be another TR.

Thank you! You know, if we hadn't had such a totally magical trip the time before, I wouldn't be saying this, but I'm almost glad we had some rough patches this time. It's that contrast between seeing how great it can be and then having some less than magical experiences that shows you what you're made of ...and shows you no matter what, you always want to go back.

[OCEANGRLLG]

Great final thoughts!

[Wolfy6688]

Okay I'm finally able to comment! I read your entire TR in one sitting (Pat said I was obsessed ) but I couldn't help it. It was addictive!

Instead of flooding you with a ton of comments, this will be one super long comment.

• Your first two paragraphs were scary! The kind of stuff horror movies are made out of.
• I'm so sorry to hear about your tornado damage
• The pictures of the Grand Floridian look gorgeous!! I only went there once, when I treated Pat to a surprise dinner at Victoria & Albert's. We got there at night though, and had to make our dinner time and then also we were leaving the next morning so we didn't have the opportunity to explore the resort at all, or take any pictures I'd love to stay there one day, but the resort itself is pretty intimidating. I'd feel incredibly out of place and out of my class.
• The tea looks like so much fun! Too bad I don't drink hot tea For some reason, regular hot tea makes me nauseous. I can drink certain iced teas, but not many.
• I loved her telling you to stop taking pictures like a tourist - that's something I'd say!
  
• I loved the Mickey in Kevin's cappuccino
• The one plate looks almost like a Hidden Mickey. I'm not sure if those are scones (see what I mean about feeling out of my class? ) but it's the picture after Kevin's back to the window.
• The dessert looks delicious! I LOVE strawberries.
• I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies. Pat thinks I'm crazy. He's a huge fan. I keep saying one day I'll see them, but so far I haven't.
• I showed Pat the picture of the little red-headed boy, the Ewok and Chewbacca walking together. I said to him, "Look at what they have at Star Wars Weekend!! You can see and get autographs...from a little ginger boy!"
• I love how you worked "acquiesced" into a sentence properly. You get the "I know proper grammar and advanced vocabulary" award of the day. I got it the other day but forgot what for (Ironic, I know )
  
• I really liked reading Kevin's mini-TR about the Segway tour! I was kinda "eh" about it, but it really does look fun.
  
• It's so cool that you got to meet other PPers. It's a shame it wasn't under happier circumstances, but in a way, they did bring everyone together
• I'd have been a lot less patient if Pat was that grumpy. You have a ton of patience!
• OMG I'm SO jealous you got to meet Marie! I haven't gotten to meet her
• I like your picture of Morocco with ToT in the background. I'd never have noticed if it weren't for that Hidden Magic book, and I never thought to take a picture. Thanks for showing it!
• I'm so sorry you didn't make it for rope drop I'd have been so upset.
• I'm glad you think the new Star Tours is good! It was under refurb during our trip this past September and I was hoping it's worth the time down.
  
• When I read Kevin's answer of, "I'm very sick" my heart stopped
• I'm so sorry about the whole SWW day I don't even know what to say!
  
• I don't like RnRC at ALL. I don't have a problem with noise, but something about that ride just smashes my head around.
  
• Sunshine Market is near where I always get my favorite frozen lemonades
• I loved the story of you and the little boy, particularly about how there was no age difference between you for that time. I did a whole paper for one of my philosophy courses about how people's age should be measured in different ways, and that would've been a perfect example.
• I'm still grateful for you to pointing out the Baggallini Messenger! It was absolutely perfect for our trip.
• Mama Melrose looks very pretty!
  
• I'd be finding MK to look weird too! The past 3 years we've gone during Halloween season so if I went at any other time it would be pretty shocking to me.
• YOU GUYS GOT TO GO TO COLUMBIA HARBOUR HOUSE! I love that place!! That's our first day/first meal tradition. I also have a hard time getting pictures in there, AND I always get that apple thing for dessert. It's the best!
• The Jungle Cruise line IS deceptively long. I fell for the same trick last year.
• Awww!! Your conversation with the Marine made me teary eyed
• I love all your pictures of the Expedition Everest queue. That's one of my favorite ones and I never seem to have time to take all the pictures. It's VERY cool about Josh Gates! I had no idea that his pictures and stuff were displayed.
• .....omg. That whole incident with Rafiki and Jiminy is usually only my own bad luck. I absolutely sympathize with how you feel. On our first trip I wanted Snow White's autograph. She's the only princess I didn't meet. I looked in all the Times Guides and found out she'd be in Germany in Epcot. It was our last day of the trip. I went to Epcot specifically to get her autograph. We walked allllllll the way to Germany - the opposite end of the lake, the furthest spot from the entrance - and she wasn't there. I was so upset. So we get on a boat to cross the lake since time was a factor on our last day, and who is waving to me from the shore? Snow White. *screams*. I almost said something extremely un-Disney on the boat, but I didn't. And Russ caught my bad luck with that on this trip, but you'll get to that later on in my TR
• I love how Cory helped the conservation fund. That's so great!
  
• You guys also got to see DeVine - I've been looking for her for the past three years and haven't seen her yet!
• I wish we had an Earl of Sandwich closer to us too. The nearest one is Boston - about 6 hours north. I went up to Massachusetts several times for some dog training and Pat asked if we would be near Boston - he was going to try to hitch a ride with us and stop by the airport for some EoS
• I know what you mean about seeing all the guests entering parks or arriving and wishing you were just starting your trip, too. On our first trip to Disney (2008) Pat and I went to Biergarten and were seated with a nice elderly couple. We started a little small talk and they asked how long we were here for. I told them the 13 days and we still had 9 days to go (or however long, it was towards the beginning of the trip) and the wife actually teared up. I felt so bad, but I know how she felt!
• The Ohana breakfast looks really good! We've never eaten there, but I might have to make a trip over there one day
• That's so exciting about possibly lengthening your stay and upgrading to deluxe! I hope it works out for you.
• I'm so sorry about the negatives, but you guys definitely had some great times, too! And you didn't let the bad parts overshadow the whole time, which is great. Regarding your TR title, "this is not the trip you're looking for", it reminds me of a saying that everyone says in dog training but it's relevant in other areas too, including here. They say, "You don't always get the dog that you want, but you always get the dog that you need." (Ha - until I just typed it I never realized it's paraphrased from the Rolling Stones song. Oh well!)
  

Thanks so much for sharing it - I loved following along!

(Sorry for the super long comment, too! )

[mommapants]

Great final thoughts Cathy.

I do hope you get to do SWW and US/IOA that would be awesome and no need to choose. I'm glad you wrote the TR. Somwtimes talking it out helps you to remeber that is wasn't all bad. And really just sounds like one day was really bad. All in all you have a beautiful family and think you had a sucessful trip.

[Nimros]

Amy, your comments were way more fun to read than my TR!! Can I comment on your comments?

Yes, that was a scone in the tea photo and I never noticed it before but you're right; it does look like a Hidden Mickey to me. Good eyes!

You MUST see Star Wars at some point. Start with Episode 4 "A New Hope" - which is the original movie. And then Pat will want to take you down for SWW!

I love the word 'acquiesced.' I can't think of Magic Kingdom, or Pirates of the Carribbean or Kiera Knightley (or even Johnny Depp!) without thinking of that word. So somehow it just slips into my Disney writing every time.

Yes - those frozen lemonades!!! We usually get them right there - I can't think of the name of the place. But yes - we always get those, too.

And I am so sorry about your bad luck with Snow White. I can so definitely relate to that now. Well, even on our very first trip, I just could not swing a meet with Mickey - no matter what. Whenever I'd show up, he'd leave. And the Mouse is EVERYWHERE at Disney, so it shouldn't be hard to meet him. But it was for me. I was over-the-moon when I finally got to give him a hug on our second trip.

Love your dog training quote. And it is so true, isn't it? The Stones really knew what they were talking about.

Can't wait to get back to YOUR TR and see what happens next...

Thanks for following along on this one.

[goofysdtr]

Thanks so much, Cathy, for sharing it all with us! So glad that the telling of it helped you to see the trip differently. I agree that having those bad moments (even though it stinks when we're in the middle of them) really helps us appreciate the good ones.

I think Kevin's idea of going deluxe is awesome! My feeling is that you can't go wrong wherever you choose to stay. They all are wonderful in their own way.

Looking forward to your next PTR, whenever it comes!

[scrappyjae]

Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us. Believe me, all of our trips have an element of "family drama", otherwise, it wouldn't be my family. But it is good to think about it and find all the good things that happened. You were able to go, which in itself is awesome! Can't wait to hear about your next trip!!!!!!

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by mommapants

Great final thoughts Cathy.

I do hope you get to do SWW and US/IOA that would be awesome and no need to choose. I'm glad you wrote the TR. Somwtimes talking it out helps you to remeber that is wasn't all bad. And really just sounds like one day was really bad. All in all you have a beautiful family and think you had a sucessful trip.

Thank you!

I'd love to be able to do them both between the end of this year and the next. It'd be cool to be able to do them both in one trip, but we really want to try and do WWoHP when the weather is cooler. I can't imagine walking around Hogsmeade in shorts and tank tops!

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

Thanks so much, Cathy, for sharing it all with us! So glad that the telling of it helped you to see the trip differently. I agree that having those bad moments (even though it stinks when we're in the middle of them) really helps us appreciate the good ones.

I think Kevin's idea of going deluxe is awesome! My feeling is that you can't go wrong wherever you choose to stay. They all are wonderful in their own way.

Looking forward to your next PTR, whenever it comes!

Originally Posted by scrappyjae

Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us. Believe me, all of our trips have an element of "family drama", otherwise, it wouldn't be my family. But it is good to think about it and find all the good things that happened. You were able to go, which in itself is awesome! Can't wait to hear about your next trip!!!!!!

Thank you both!

Looks like the next trip will definitely be my solo trip next May! And as for the family one, anything could happen ...so who know?! I think we'll most likely be looking at Sept 2012. But people win lotteries/inherit fortunes/make millions every day.

[Nyreak]

I started reading your report last night, went to bed because my eyes hurt, and got up to finish reading it. You wrote it out in such a way that I didn't want to stop reading it!

I'm sorry to hear about the drama that happened, with timing and illness. It is so hard to handle things getting all messed up when we've worked so hard to plan everything 'just so'.

I think the idea of going by yourself is a great one. My husband and I attend Dragon*Con in Atlanta each year, and for some reason I keep putting what he wants to do ahead of what I want to do/who I want to meet. I've decided that's not happening this year!

(Have you ever been? Most of the 501st goes each year, and there are always at least a couple of Star Wars related guests along with a huge Star Wars track. Peter Mayhew is usually there, but I don't see him on the list right now. Forgive me if you have been, just sharing info in case you haven't!)

[lauriep]

Glad you decided on the solo trip for next May. You'll be able to tour without worrying about everyone else having a good time! If you're not already reading zacksmom's current TR "Can I Play on Your I Phone?", do so-- loaded with tips for getting the most out of SWW!

[WishandDream]

Thank you for writing such a great TR! It helps to hear about other people's bad trips. Ours was December of 2009. We went for Christmas week and it was just WAY too busy. We won't do that again.

Although this trip wasn't all that you hoped for, that last full day seemed wonderful. I hope that is the memory that sticks for this trip!

Good luck planning for the future trips!

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Cathy, I don't think I ever wrote up anything about October beyond the pretrip report. Basically I fell down and hit my head the night before we were leaving. It required a late night trip to the ER and I ended up with a concussion, 7 stitches and a black eye. Needless to say it was an ugly trip. I was super confused for a few days and just generally grumpy.

I am sure that this October will be better, but thanks for the wishes!

Wow heather! I had no idea! Glad you're ok. You are quite the trooper for still going too!

Originally Posted by lauriep

Glad you decided on the solo trip for next May. You'll be able to tour without worrying about everyone else having a good time! If you're not already reading zacksmom's current TR "Can I Play on Your I Phone?", do so-- loaded with tips for getting the most out of SWW!

I second that! She also recommends 'liking' Disney's Star Wars Weekends on Facebook for tips as it gets closer.

[Silver-n-Gold]

Loved reading this TR, thanks so much for sharing, especially your Jedi quotes, they were fantastic! Can't wait to hear about your next adventure!